Abstract: A hydro-forming tool for use in a method of forming a blank into a liquid filled chamber. The chamber is formed by a container ring and a moveable wall that together define a variable volume chamber for containing the liquid. The wall is moveable relative to the container ring to provide a chamber in which the volume of liquid required to back up the blank is minimized. The liquid reduces friction at the chamber entry rim. Liquid may be ported through a counter punch to hydro-form the blank into the detail forming areas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a style line with a sharp radius in a metal with lower formability than that of mild steel is disclosed. The apparatus and method use a die set with a means to back a portion of the metal having the style line formed with a material that moves with the surface of the style line as it is formed. In one embodiment an elastic member backs the metal panel, and in another embodiment a fluid medium backs the metal panel where the style line is formed. The apparatus and method achieve sharper radius style lines in metals like aluminum, advanced high strength steel, and ultra-high strength steel than a traditional hard surface die set can achieve.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching edging to a sheet has two stationary guides at each end, an upper hollow guide (8), a pair of lower guides (5), with a fixed base (4) between the lower guides. A hollow profile (1) is vertically movable, having a binding rail (2) on the underside thereof. The upper guide (8) is placed inside the profile, forming upper and lower spaces (7, 9) between the profile and the upper guide. Upper and lower flexible elements (10, 11) are provided in each space. In use, one element is filled while the other element is emptied, such that when an edging and a sheet is placed between the fixed base (4) and the binding rail, the lower element is filled to force the profile and thus the binding rail down to attach the edging. Then the upper element is filled to release the sheet with the attached edging.

Abstract: A system and method are described for ballizing and measuring a workpiece bore hole. In one embodiment, a ballizing unit having a distal end removably coupled to a ballizing member moves the ballizing member from a first position within the bore hole to a second position. A metrology unit having a distal end removably coupled to the ballizing member moves the ballizing member from the second position back to the first position. A sensor detects a force exerted on the ballizing member by the workpiece at a third position, which is located between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A can bottom forming assembly for use in forming the bottom of metal cans, such as steel and aluminum two piece cans. The bottom forming assembly is lightweight, compact and comprises outer and cylinder housing assemblies which house a clamp ring retainer assembly, a transfer piston assembly and an annular spring member. The clamp ring retainer assembly includes biasing members to float a clamp ring thereby centering the clamp ring and domer die plug with respect to the ram of a bodymaker. Increased piston size, spring position and size are provided to permit increased clamp ring pressure.

Abstract: A punching machine is provided with a tool holder for a punching tool and a die having a cutting edge which can be passed by the punching tool in a machining stroke direction and a return stroke direction. The machine includes at least one work support, supported by at least one spring element. The work support is arranged in the region of the die, and the spring force of the spring element is adjustable.

Abstract: A hydroforming unit comprises a mould (19,20) that can be opened and sealing arrangements (30-33; 35-39) for sealing the ends of a tube-formed blank (16) placed in the mould, each one of the sealing arrangements (30-33; 35-39) comprises a ring (30, 35) with a thin wall that fits into the inner surface of the tube (16), and a plug (33, 36) that can be displaced in an axial direction mounted axially inside of the ring, and an arrangement (32,37) for initially drawing the plug (33, 36) outwards to put the ring under elastic tension against the inside of the tube-formed blank so that the plug and the ring together form a seal.

Abstract: Beading of containers such as two and three piece can bodies by rolling the can body between tools, typically a roll/roll or a roll/rail of a rotary turret system. During beading, a load is applied along the central axis of the can body, whereby axial and panel performance of the beaded can is improved. This load is applied for example by the use of miniature air bags which are fixed to the turret.

Abstract: Vibration damping apparatus (40) includes a body in the form of backup roll balance piston (42) positionable for sliding movement in an enclosure in the form of cavity (44) in the lower backup roll chock (30) of the mill stack (10). The body of the piston is a casing which performs the role of a conventional postion. A damping means is integral with the piston (42) for providing vibration damping of opposing backup roll chocks (24, 30). The damping means is a specially designed absorption system to provide tuned stiffness and damping elements which act in parallel and are located in compartment (46) at an uppermost end or cap of the piston (42). A second vibration absorbent compartment portion (56) of the piston (42) also includes vibration absorbing components. Portion (56) is an integral cap located at the end of the piston (42) in contact with the fluid (52).

Abstract: A hemming machine is disclosed having a base, a plate mounted to the base and a nest adapted to support a workpiece to be hemmed which is vertically slidably mounted to the base above the plate. An inflatable bladder is sandwiched in between the plate and the nest or even the base and the plate while a source of incompressible fluid selectively inflates the bladder thus vertically displacing the nest relative to the plate.

Abstract: A container necker has a necking die moved into contact with a container workpiece by a cam and a pilot urged toward the container by compressed air on a floating piston on which the pilot is mounted. The pilot is held in contact with the necking die by the air pressure acting on the floating piston and follows the necking die in unison into contact with the container. Compressed air flows through the pilot to inflate the container to increase its rigidity during necking. A radial surface on the pilot is engaged by the end of the container to stop the pilot while the necking die continues to the end of its travel to complete the necking function. In a second embodiment the necking die is fixedly positioned and the workpiece is axially moved relative to the die to effect the necking function.